Last week Apple announced an update to the iPod line -including the new iPod nano. Aside from getting a Crayola metal facelift that is strikingly similar to the mini, the new nano has a screen that is 40% brighter and a battery that will last all day (literally). But it's a good thing Apple keeps working on their iPods, because the non-video nano has some tough competition from the Creative Zen V Plus and the Sandisk Sansa e200 series. And, of course, the beloved 1st gen nano. Wow, he's looking mad - better be careful with that plastic casing! Hit the jump for our Frankenreview, clipped together from CNet, PCWorld, PC Magazine, and Ars. – Mark Wilson

Frankenreviewer says:

"Some users—like me—actually prefer the shiny plastic look of the old iPod nano to the anodized aluminum of the new one."
- Look, if Apple says it's newer, that means it's better. See:
"The 2G Nano is not only less scratch-prone than its predecessor, but also more durable in general...the thing even went through the washer and lived to tell the tale!"
"The 2G nano...screen died on the first drop...the 1G nano took six drops from considerably higher heights before the screen gave out..."
- Doesn't anyone actually listen to their mp3 players anymore?
"As far as sound quality is concerned, we couldn't notice a difference between the old Nano and the 2G."
"Video playback is conspicuously absent, as many Nano competitors have it (the Creative Zen V Plus, iRiver Clix, and SanDisk Sansa e200 series, to name a few...)"
"...other premium flash players such as the popular SanDisk Sansa e200 series still have the iPod trumped on features."
"But then, the Sansa e200 doesn't do gapless, support lossless compression, or support Audible audiobooks."
"...includes a new search feature accessed via a Search command at the bottom of the Music screen."
"Search is smarter than it appears. For example, enter DC and ACDC will appear in the list."
- But what about Journey??
"I looked at the new model's screen next to my old 4GB nano, and it does indeed look significantly brighter."
"We're pleased to note that Apple had a stab at the original Nano's rather paltry 12-hour battery life, doubling that rating to a respectable 24 hours."
"I got 26 hours 10 minutes."
- Much better.